Wow, a lot has transpired since January 25, when I started my journey with the 24 Day Challenge! I have to be honest, I've put off continuing this blog because there's so much to share. I hope it'll be like watching a long-awaited "Previously On This Show" clip. It's worth it, because you get to catch up on the action and move forward with the plot!
First of all, the last 5 months have brought numerous life changes. Not everything can be attributed simply to the Challenge, but God has used my new-found physical and mental energy to bring about some radical (indeed, miraculous) things.
Physical - For the first time since I can remember, I don't have physical cravings for food. I know it's because I'm getting all the nutrition I need, but it still feels like a miracle to me. At my last weigh-in, my weight-loss totaled 14 pounds, 10 of which were body fat. I have amazing energy...also miraculous.
Mental - I love how my brain pops these days. Funny, I thought I remembered being a sharp thinker at one time, but it was so long ago, I wasn't sure. I had pretty much given up on getting my PC (pre-children) brain back. Now sometimes it's hard to turn it off, lol.
Emotional - This part is hard to explain, but when you feel better and you're thinking more clearly, the world can tend to open up. Recently I attended the National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs annual conference, and I've since been able to apply the inspiration and knowledge I received in unprecedented, bold and brave ways. In fact, I've started writing a book about perfectionism and plan to launch a new business benefiting women in the fall...more to come on that!
Spiritual- Like dominoes, one change brings about another. I was so discouraged before the Challenge, I felt ashamed as a mom. I wasn't measuring up to what I knew God was calling me to be, but beyond prayer, I didn't know what to do about it. It was that heartfelt cry to God that brought change to our family. I praise him every day for the new life I see in my dear hubby Duane (current weight-loss: 53 pounds!). I'm also learning many spiritual lessons related to fear, perfectionism, and life balance. He's been so faithful to take my faith to a deeper level in the last months. It's very humbling. (Thank you, God. You are the one who gets all the credit.)
Thanks to anyone who made it all the way through to the end of this blog! I hope you can feel my heart when I say that the last 5 months have been truly life-changing - no exaggeration. I'm so excited to get back to blogging and sharing what God is putting on my heart in all sorts of areas - health, parenting, personal growth, and faith. Who knows what will happen next?
Love all of you!
Steph
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